Meon Health Practice (Highlands)

Easy to book in as a new patient

As a new patient at this practice, I was pleasantly surprised compared to my previous experience. The appointment booking process was straightforward. The team demonstrated genuine care and helpfulness. The practice runs smoothly and efficiently. The facilities are of a good standard.

Couldn't get routine appointments when needed

This GP practice has not met my expectations. Routine appointments for non-urgent conditions are difficult to obtain, and same-day slots are similarly unavailable for these issues. As a result, I have needed to contact NHS 111 to access medical care.

Phone queue blocked routine appointment access

I would give this practice the lowest possible rating. I have serious concerns about the approach to patient care here. Since my partner and I recently registered with this practice, we have encountered significant difficulties. To begin with, my repeat medications were stopped without any prior notification. I was left uncertain about how to obtain replacements when needed. Additionally, the likelihood of securing an appointment to address this appears quite low. My partner has been experiencing symptoms that could indicate a significant health condition with a family history. When he contacted the practice, reception staff acknowledged his symptoms were concerning and suggested he needed medical evaluation, but explained that routine appointments cannot be booked in advance. The practice apparently only accommodates same-day emergency cases, and he was advised to call back at 8AM. Upon doing so, he was informed by reception that his situation was not considered urgent enough to warrant an appointment, and that advance bookings are not available. This creates a frustrating situation where it is unclear how patients are meant to receive diagnoses for developing health issues before they become critical. He subsequently contacted 111, who advised that a GP appointment was necessary and indicated they would liaise with the practice to arrange one. However, hours later, the practice responded via text stating that despite the referral, they only see urgent cases and his situation did not meet that threshold. Yet non-urgent appointments cannot be booked in advance. When he called 111 again, they were unable to assist further and suggested he continue attempting to contact the practice daily. It seems unlikely he will be able to see a doctor at this surgery, and I am equally uncertain how to resolve my medication issue. At our previous practice, booking appointments several weeks ahead was straightforward. We may need to pursue private healthcare for this matter, despite our NHS contributions and the expectation that medical care should be accessible when required. My partner has not seen a doctor since childhood, and now faces barriers to receiving care when he genuinely needs it. Healthcare should not be this difficult to access. We are exploring the possibility of registering elsewhere, though options appear limited.

Struggled to book appointments for children

This practice has been disappointing compared to others I have experienced in different areas. The level of organisation and efficiency falls short of what I would expect from a healthcare provider. I have found it particularly challenging to secure appointments for my younger family members, which has not been an issue at previous practices. I am now considering registering with an alternative provider.

Long phone waits made getting help difficult

I found the process for obtaining medication to be frustrating and inconvenient. After submitting a request through the method outlined on their website, I was instructed to contact the surgery by phone. When I called, I experienced a lengthy wait before speaking with someone, only to be told I would need to book an appointment online during a specific time window on Monday. This requirement meant taking additional time away from work to access the care I needed.

Urgent paperwork request took three months

Extremely frustrated. The administrative processes here are deeply problematic. I waited three months for a simple document to be signed and returned. How am I expected to anticipate when I'll need something months in advance? I contacted the practice on Monday and was assured it would be treated as a priority matter. When I followed up today, I was told it still hadn't been processed. The delay is inexplicable. I haven't used their services in five years, so I'm not familiar with their usual standards, but I'm getting no value from this experience whatsoever. Now I'm going to miss my deadline because of this holdup, and I feel this reflects poorly on the practice's accountability. The whole situation has been incredibly stressful and has affected my wellbeing. This level of service is unacceptable.

Long phone waits made getting appointments nearly impossible

I have been registered with this practice for four years. Throughout my time as a patient, I have not had the opportunity to see my healthcare provider in person. On each occasion I have needed an appointment, I have found it difficult to secure one. This has meant I have often had to manage my health concerns independently without professional support. When I have called to book an appointment, I have experienced lengthy waiting times on hold from opening time, with no triage or routine slots becoming available. Even when I indicated flexibility with timing and was willing to wait several weeks for an appointment, I was unable to obtain one. I have since transferred to a different practice where I have successfully booked an appointment and found the telephone service to be more responsive.

Prescription ordering system causes repeated dosage errors

If it were possible to give negative stars I would. If it were possible to change surgery I would. If you move into this catchment area DO NOT REGISTER here and stay at your old surgery instead. I have experienced significant difficulties with my routine medication ordering. I request a particular dosage as agreed during my appointment, yet on most occasions I receive a different amount. My medication is essential for my wellbeing and receiving an incorrect dosage has a considerable impact on me. On one occasion, my request was not processed at all due to a system change that occurred after I had submitted it. I hope the practice will make improvements, but they have consolidated three surgeries that I felt were problematic into one larger practice group that I find equally unsatisfactory.

Impossible to reach a doctor here

This practice appears to be struggling with fundamental operational standards and raises serious concerns about its ability to function effectively. Access to clinical staff is extremely difficult to arrange, and communication through reception frequently breaks down, requiring patients to repeatedly submit requests. The overall management and coordination of services suggests significant systemic issues that require urgent attention.

Reception staff were dismissive and unhelpful

The service provided fell short of expectations, with staff appearing indifferent to patient needs.

Appointment slots gone before booking opens

How was it possible to access the system at 8am (as evidenced by the screenshot) when all available GP slots had already been taken, despite the booking window only opening at that time? I was unable to secure any GP appointment despite multiple attempts. It raises questions about why emergency departments experience such high volumes of patients seeking non-urgent care.

Receptionists dismissive and practice always overbooked

The practice appears disorganised and overwhelmed. Staff at the front desk lack courtesy, and appointment availability is extremely limited. The waiting times are frustratingly long and the overall service falls well short of expectations.

Hard to book appointments through the call centre

I recognise the challenges facing the NHS, however the appointment booking service at this practice makes it unnecessarily challenging to access the care required. The staff handling calls appear unsympathetic, and their manner can feel quite discouraging and unwelcoming. It's also disappointing that availability is restricted to same-day appointments only, with no option to schedule advance consultations for non-urgent matters. This approach seems designed to discourage people from reaching out, which raises concerns. It prompts questions about how accessible it is for patients to see a clinician when needed, and whether the practice is genuinely prioritising patient welfare.

Struggling to reach the practice by phone

This practice has been disappointing to work with. The online consultation system does not seem to function effectively, and when attempting to reach the surgery by phone at the suggested time, I consistently encounter messages about high call volumes. Even calling shortly after opening time results in being unable to connect with a clinician. I was unwell and needed to see someone urgently, but the barriers to access made this difficult. I have found other services more responsive to my needs. I regret not continuing with my previous practice, as the effort to travel there would have been worthwhile. The practice would benefit from improving its appointment and communication systems.

Couldn't book ahead for future appointments

Early morning slots appear to be available for walk-in patients with minor ailments. When attempting to schedule a future appointment, I found the process frustrating. Overall, I was disappointed with the service.

Impossible to reach by phone or book

Extremely poor service overall. It is very difficult to reach the practice by telephone, and obtaining an appointment presents significant challenges. Even when an appointment is secured, consultations are conducted remotely rather than in person, which is frustrating when face-to-face assessment is needed.

Online appointments disappear within minutes of release

This practice, like many NHS facilities, feels like an inadequate area of healthcare provision. The online appointment system appears to have limited availability, with slots disappearing very quickly. I've noticed this pattern repeatedly. There seems to be a concerning approach to consultations, with questions that feel dismissive of why patients are seeking medical attention in the first place. The framing of appointments feels counterproductive and potentially distressing for those who are unwell. The underlying issue appears to stem from management-level decisions rather than the staff themselves, who are clearly doing their best under difficult working conditions and challenging operational guidelines. The frontline team members, including clinical and administrative staff, deserve better support and working environments. The system as a whole requires significant improvement to better serve vulnerable patients.

Struggling to book appointments by phone for weeks

I have been attempting to secure an appointment for more than two weeks by phoning each morning, as I am unable to visit the practice in person to complete the necessary paperwork. I am experiencing significant discomfort and am keen to understand what might be causing this, though it has not been deemed an urgent matter. Throughout this period, no standard appointments have been accessible. I feel this practice falls short compared to others in the locality. I would appreciate the option of remote consultations, which many other practices now offer.

Reception handled system failure with patience and kindness

I had a really quick and efficient blood sample taken today - the healthcare professional chatted to me throughout to distract me and it was nearly painless, very pleasant to speak to and efficient. Reception were also very quick and helpful when the automatic check in system was malfunctioning and I saw them treat all patients with patience and kindness. Thank you to all the staff for working so hard.

Difficult to book emergency appointments here

The practice itself is satisfactory, however accessing urgent appointment slots presents considerable difficulty.